WO2000011533A1

WO2000011533A1 - Iced or refrigerated beverage dispenser with an automated powder mixer and filler

Info

Publication number: WO2000011533A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/018967
Authority: WO
Inventors: David H. Erlandsen
Original assignee: Dr. Er'ls Technology, Llc
Priority date: 1998-08-20
Filing date: 1999-08-20
Publication date: 2000-03-02
Also published as: WO2000011533A9; AU5779599A

Abstract

An iced or refrigerated beverage machine for preparing, storing and dispensing iced beverages. The machine includes a mixer comprising a mixing bowl (34) and a whipping chamber (38) for mixing powder with liquid to form a liquid mixture, a flexible outflow tube (44a) for conveying the liquid mixture to a dispenser (10a), a heat exchange element (58) within the dispenser (10a) for converting the liquid mixture into an iced or refrigerated beverage, and a controller (14a) for activating the mixing of the powder with the liquid and controlling the delivery of the liquid mixture to the dispenser.

Description

ICED OR REFRIGERATED BEVERAGE DISPENSER

WITH AN AUTOMATED POWDER MIXER AND FILLER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This inv ention lelates to iced 01 rehigeiated

dispensing machines with an automated powder mixer and filler

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Machines for producing iced or refngerated beverages with a pasty consistency, such as granita. are known in the prior art Generally these machines are constructed with a transparent tank which holds the iced or refrigerated beverage The iced or refrigerated be\ erage is formed and maintained in a pasty consistency through the combined action of a heat-e\change element and a rotating stirrei The tank is provided with a dispensing cock from which the iced or refrigerated beverage is drawn An example of such an iced beverage dispenser is disclosed in U S Patent No 4 900,158

The basic principle ot operation of the conventional iced beverage dispensei entails the conversion of liquid ingredients into a finished iced beverage in the transparent tank The liquid ingredients may come in either a premixed liquid, concentrate liquid, or a powdered form

Premixed liquid ingredients are often introduced for freezing in the tank because they can be poured directly Unfortunately, liquid ingredients are v ery

e Furthermore liquid ingredients have high shipping and storage costs due to their heavy weight and large olume Liquid ingredients can also be very messy as they are often spilled and are hard to clean up The quality of iced or refrigerated beverage from premixed liquid, or concentiate liquid ingredient is often considered less desirable than that of freshly mixed powdered ingredients Further, shelf life of premixed liquid is generally short

Powdered ingredients are preferable because they produce better tasting drinks and powder is often less expensive, less costly to ship, easier and less messy to mix and dispense and have longer shelf life than premixed liquid Despite these advantages, however, powder ingredients suffer fiom several drawbacks Namel , powdered ingiedients must be premixed with liquid before being placed into the iced beverage dispenser and this process can be messy cumbersome and time consuming

Thus, there is a current need for an automated iced or refrigerated be erage machine that automatically mixes powdered, preferably dry powdered, ingredients with liquid, preferably water, before converting the mixture to an iced beverage SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an iced or refrigerated beverage machine which satisfies this need. There is. therefore provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a mixer for mixing powder with liquid to form a liquid mixture. A dispenser converts the liquid mixture into an iced or refrigerated beverage. A controller activates the mixer for mixing the powder with the liquid and delivery of the liquid mixture to the dispenser, preferably responsive to the level of the mixture in a tank of the dispenser.

Preferably, the iced beverage machine has a dispenser with a freezer and stirrer for freezing the liquid mixture, a container for the liquid mixture and an inlet to the container for receipt of the liquid mixture. A cabinet houses the mixer and controller adjacent to the dispenser. Alternatively, the mixer, controller and dispenser may be made together as one unit. Preferably the mixer is located above the inlet to the dispenser, and a flexible tube allows the liquid mixture to flow down from the mixer to the container inlet and into the dispenser. A preferred embodiment of the mixer includes a powder holding bin having a discharge spout, an externally threaded auger for dispensing powder from the powder holding bin. A valve selectively supplies liquid. A whipping chamber receives and mixes the powder and the liquid, and provides the mixture to the dispenser. A controller controls the dispensing of the powder from the powder holding bin, the valve, and the mixing of the powder with the liquid. A preferred embodiment of the mixer also includes a low powder level detector, which detects when the powder level in the powder holding bin is low and then generates a bell, buzzer, flashing light or other alarm to notify the attendant that the powder level is low and needs refilling. Without such a detector, the dispenser would be refilled with liquid only (when the powder is empty), diluting the remainder of the liquid/powder mixture in the dispenser and possibly resulting in a frozen hard mass that could damage the dispenser.

A preferred embodiment of the dispenser includes a tank having a lower end with a generally, horizontally extending, cylindrical shape, a cooling element with a cylinder telescopically fit into the lower end of the tank, a first cylindrical screw propeller coaxially disposed in the cylinder, and a second cylindrical screw propeller coaxially wound external to said cylinder, each of the first and second screw propellers being rotatably coupled to a motor, and a dispensing cock connected to the tank.

A preferred embodiment of the controller includes a power source, a probe coupled to the power source and extending into the tank of the dispenser, and a current sensor for detecting current flow through the probe, the current sensor controlling the mixing of the powder with the liquid and the delivery of the liquid mixture to the dispenser as a function of such detected current flow.

It is understood that other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described only embodiments of the invention by way of illustration of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a mixer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention:

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a dispenser in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a controller in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a combination of an iced or refrigerated beverage dispenser with an automated dry powder and liquid mixer and filler for the dispenser. The combination may be manufactured as one unit. A level controller for regulating the mixing of dry powder and liquid and the flow of the mixed dry powder and liquid into the beverage dispenser adds functionality which allows the beverage dispenser and liquid mixer to work together to provide an improved quality iced or refrigerated beverage from dry powder which is an improvement over systems of the past. With this approach the benefits of dry powder ingredients can be achieved without the disadvantages previously experienced with conventional systems.

Turning to FIG. 1. a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown with three iced or refrigerated beverage dispensers 10a, 10b, 10c having dispenser tanks 22a, 22b, 22c for individually storing and dispensing three different iced beverages. Preferably, each dispenser 10a, 10b. 10c is connected to a separate controller (not shown), and a separate dry powder and liquid mixing assembly (mixer) 12a, 12b, 12c in a mixer and control cabinet 9 containing the appropriate liquid mix. Preferably, the front of each mixer is aligned facing its corresponding dispenser. This configuration provides an economic approach to dispensing iced beverage drinks in a retail environment. The precise number of dispensers and accompanying controllers and mixers, however, is not critical to the present invention, and those skilled in the art will readilv recognize that any number of dispensers with accompanying controllers and mixers may be employed depending upon the particular application.

A valve 13a. 13b and 13c on the front of each dispenser 10a. 10b. and 10c, respectivelv . lets the frozen mixture flow by gravity to a glass or the like for consumer use.

Each dispenser with its accompanying controller and mixer is structurallv identical to the others. Thus, for simplicity of explanation, only one dispenser, controller and mixer will be described in detail. It will be understood that the following detailed description applies equally to the other dispenser, controller and mixer arrangements as well. As illustrated in FIG. 1. the iced beverage dispenser 10a for converting a liquid mixture into an iced beverage is connected to an automated dry powder and liquid mixer 12a. The mixer 12a blends dry soluble powder with a liquid and delivers the mixed liquid combination to the dispenser 10a. Although the mixer can mix and dispense any number of powder drink formulas, preferably the dry powder is powdered coffee and the liquid is water. The mixing of the dry powder and liquid and the delivery of the mixture is regulated by a level controller in the iced or refrigerated beverage dispenser with automatic powder mixer and filler (See FIGs. 1 and 2). An exemplary embodiment of a level controller 14a is shown in FIG. 5. The level controller 14a initiates the mixing function in and delivery of mixed dry powder and liquid by the mixer 12a when the quantity of beverage in the dispenser 10a falls below a predetermined level. The initiation of the mixing function by the level controller 14a causes the mixer 12a to immediately both blend the dry soluble powder with liquid and dispense a suitable amount of the combined liquid mixture into the beverage dispenser 10a, enhancing quality of the beverage.

The advantage of this automated approach is that a fairly constant amount of iced beverage can be maintained in the dispenser 10a so as to prevent the iced beverage from being depleted, and thereby avoiding the long and unproductive down time necessary to bring to temperature an entire new load of the mixed liquid.

With reference to FIG. 2, a main control panel 17 is located on the control cabinet 9 and includes an array of buttons. Preferably, two vertically arranged buttons are provided for each dispenser 10a. 10b and 10c. One button 15a, 15b, and 15c for each dispenser allows a user to manually operate the corresponding mixer 12a. 12b and 12c to fill its respective dispenser 10a, 10b and 10c, and the other button 16a, 16b, and 16c for each dispenser enables the automated feature of the level controller for the corresponding dispenser. An electrical connection 18 is provided from a power source 80 (FIG.5) for a probe 20a. 20b and 20c for each dispenser 10a. 10b and 10c respectively. Of course, the electrical connections and the buttons may be located and arranged in several different ways as desired.

In the described embodiment, each probe 20 is clipped on the top of and extends within the corresponding dispenser tank 22a, 22b, and 22c to monitor the iced beverage level. This approach allows for easy removal of the probe 20 when the machine is being cleaned or when the automatic fill feature is not required. The probe can be provided with a plug to connect to the power source or can be hard-wired directly to the power source. Located on the left side of the control cabinet 9 is a liquid inlet line 24 for feeding a liquid, preferably water, into the mixer 12 and. may be extended to a washout system for the dispenser 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the mixer 12a. The mixer 12a includes a storage bin 26 for storing the powder. At the forward end of the bin 26 is a spout 28. The spout 28 is connected to an elbow 30. Situated below the elbow 30 is a splash guard 32. Connected to the splash guard 32 and located below it is a mixing bowl 34. Attached to the mixing bowl 34 is the liquid inlet line 24. Below the mixing bowl 34 is a whipping chamber 38. Situated within the whipping chamber 38 is a whipper propeller/impeller 40. The whipper propeller/impeller 40 is attached to a motor 42. Connected to the bottom of the whipping chamber 38 is a preferably plastic flexible outflow tube 44 for connection to the dispenser tank 22. An auger 46 is positioned near the bottom of the storage bin 26 and extends rearwardly across the bottom from the spout 28. The auger 46 is attached to a motor 48 at the rearward end. and the discharge end of the auger rotates in the discharge spout 28. In order to keep the auger 46 immersed in powder, an agitator wheel 50, which stirs the powder so that it falls freely onto the auger 46, is mounted in the bin 26 for rotation on a shaft 52. The wheel 50 has radially projecting paddles or fins 54 extending from its periphery and laterally projecting paddles or fins 56 extending from one or both sides. The radially projecting fins 54 are engaged by the screw auger 46 which acts as a worm to rotate the wheel 50 on its shaft 52.

The speed at which the auger 46 turns relative to the flow rate of the liquid ingredients controls the strength of the beverage. Assuming that the speed of the auger 46 is held constant, decreasing the flow rate of the liquid leads to a stronger beverage, and increasing the flow rate of the liquid leads to a weaker beverage. Likewise, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the flow rate of the liquid can be held constant, in which case the faster the auger turns, the stronger the beverage is and the slower the auger turns, the weaker the beverage is. It is possible to electronically control the strength of the beverage by controlling the auger speed, the liquid flow rate or both.

One way to adjust the flow of liquid is to provide the liquid inlet line 24 with a valve 74 to control flow, and a flow regulator 75 to adjust the flow rate of liquid to the mixer 12a (See FIG. 2). Preferably, the flow regulator is manually adjustable from outside the control cabinet. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible, resilient tube 36 is connected between the valve 74 and the mixer. The flow regulator 75 includes a sleeve 1 10 mounted on the tube 36 with a screw type pin 1 12 mounted in a threaded hole through the sleeve to engage the tube. The screw type pin 112 is accessible from the exterior of the control cabinet 9 to pinch or close the tube in order to adjust the flow of liquid through the tube to the mixer. Of course, there are several other ways. including other clamping devices, known in the art to adjust the flow of liquid from the liquid inlet line such as needle valves or other valves.

The accessible water regulator allows for proper proportions of mixing ratios of water with powder, i.e., some powders need to be mixed at 5 grams per ounce of liquid others at 7 grams, and others at 3 grams. With this regulator accessible for adjustment a variation of products can be used giving the unit additional flexibility in the field.

Once the auger motor 48 is activated, the auger 46 pushes the powder through the spout 28 and into the elbow 30. Gravity causes the powder to fall from the elbow 30. through the splash guard 32, and into the mixing bowl 34. The liquid enters the mixing bowl 34. through the liquid inlet line 24, from an external source (not shown). The liquid source may be an additional mixer combining several liquid ingredients, a conventional water supply line, or other sources known in the art. The splash guard 32 prevents any of the liquid in the mixing bowl 34 from getting up into the elbow 30 or the bin 26 and contaminating the remaining powder. The liquid carries the powder down from the mixing bowl 34 into the whipping chamber 38. Once inside the whipping chamber 38, the whipper propeller 40 mixes the powder and the liquid. After mixing is complete the mixture flows down out of the whipping chamber 38 into the flexible outflow tube 44 and down into the dispenser tank 22 (See FIG. 4). An exemplary mixer is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,493.249. the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein. A powder level sensor 120 is mounted to the control cabinet in close proximity to the storage bin 26 to detect a low powder level in the bin 26. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is a capacitive proximity switch that detects and senses the level of product (powder) in the bins. When the powder level drops below the switch, a signal is sent to sound a bell, a buzzer, flashing lights or other alarm 122. Preferably, the alarm remains activated until an attendant manually shuts off the mixer. Alternatively, the mixer can be shut down automatically, if desired.

Refilling the hopper with powder will cancel the signal and the mixer can again be operated normally again. The preferred capacitive proximity switch includes a sensitivity tuning screw to tune out, metal, plastic, etc.. allowing the sensor to home in on whatever tvpe of product is used, even a liquid. Capacitive proximity switches of the type discussed above are available from Efector, Inc., a subsidiary of IFM Electronics, of Exton, Pennsylvania (for example, a capacitive switch - type Kl having a 15 mm range). Preferably, the switch is closed when the powder level drops below the sensor, which activates the alarm.

Other devices known in the art for detecting low powder levels may also be used with the present invention. For example, ultrasonic sensors that work on sounds and/or vibrations, photo electric or photo cell sensors which use a lite source, such as a laser, and a receiver, or a lite source and a reflector, or a proximity type photo sensor, where the lite source and receiver are on same side, weight sensitive devices, such as spring loaded mechanisms or scales using piezo electric load cells, or scales using LVDT, i.e., a Linear Variable Deviation Transformer. Referring to FIG. 4. the dispenser 10a is used to chill, freeze, maintain and dispense the iced beverage. The dispenser tank 22a is preferably a plastic transparent container to facilitate viewing of the iced beverage by consumers. This construction results in an aesthetically pleasing dispenser, although one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the construction of the dispenser is very much at the discretion of the manufacturer and may vary depending on the particular application. A cooling element 58 in the shape of a cylinder is set horizontally, from front to back, near the bottom of the tank 22a. Within the cooling element 58, is an internal screw propeller 60. On the outside of the cooling element 58 is an external screw propeller 62. The two propellers 60 and 62 are attached to a motor 64 that is mounted on a chassis 65 containing additional motor and heat exchanger components and control electronics (see also FIG.2). The propellers 60 and 62 are threaded in opposite directions to circulate the beverage around the cooling element 58 and throughout the dispenser tank 22. The thread on one of the two propellers will propel the fluid from front to rear and the other will propel the fluid from rear to front. This will lead to a circulatory pattern that maximizes the thermal efficiency of the dispenser 10a. At the front of each of the tanks 22a, 22b and 22c respectively a dispensing cock

13a, 13b and 13c allows dispensing of the beverage. An exemplary dispenser 10a is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,900.158. the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein. It is foreseeable that other cooling and dispensing systems could be used, such as one with only one propeller, or with a non-cylindrical cooling element, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate alternative constructions.

With reference to FIG.5, the controller 14a serves to initiate, coordinate and sequence the mixing of the dry powder and liquid and the dispensing of the mixture by the mixer 12a. The controller 14a constantly monitors the level of the beverage in the dispenser tank 22 and when the level gets below the probe 20, powers up the mixer 12a to mix the powder and liquid and fill the dispenser tank 22 with the mixture to the appropriate level, touching the bottom of the probe.

FIG. 5 schematically depicts one embodiment of the liquid level controller 14a. The controller 14a includes a liquid level control board 65 and the power source 80. The level probe

20 is connected to the power source output at line 4. which in turn is connected to a control circuit in the form of the liquid level control board 65, and is clipped to the tank 22 of the dispenser 10a and extends down to the level at which the beverage is desirably to be maintained. Various ways may be provided for grounding the level probe 20. For example, the dispenser itself may be grounded. Alternatively, a base sensor (not shown) in contact with the beverage in the bottom of the tank 22, maybe connected to a power source output 69 and grounded at the control board at line 5. Preferably, to minimize the number of components, the cooling cylinder 58 or other metal parts in contact with the liquid beverage in the dispenser 10a are grounded, or a ground for the electric circuit driving the dispenser can be connected to the dispenser to ground the probe. One suitable liquid level control board 65 that performs adequately is commercially available from SSAC, Inc., of P.O. Box 1000. Baldwinsville. NY 13027. as part of their LLC1 series, Liquid Level Control, Solid State, Single Probe, Fill Type. An exemplary controller 14a is also disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5.713.214. the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein.

Considering the overall operation of the controller 14, as long as the beverage remains in contact with the probe 20, the control circuit on board 65 operates such that a relay 70 will remain in an unenergized position and no control signal will be applied to control line 71. If the beverage level drops below the probe 20, a fixed preset time delay is initiated in the board 65. At the end of the time delay, if the level of the beverage is still below the probe 20 then the relay

70 will transfer to an energized position, thereby sending a control signal on line 71 to the mixer 12a (See FIG. 3). which applies power to the motor 48 to drive the auger 46 and to the motor 42 to drive the whipper propeller 40. In addition, the valve 74 on the liquid inlet line 24 is opened, allowing liquid to flow from line 24. from an external source (not shown), to the mixing bowl 34. The relay 70 will remain in this position until the level of beverage in the tank 22 reaches the probe 20 again. When this occurs, the relay 70 immediately de-energizes, thereby removing the control signal on line 71 to the mixer 12a (See FIG. 3). As a result, power is removed from the motors 42. 48, and the valve 74 of the liquid inlet line 24 is closed.

As a safety feature to prevent liquid from overflowing the tank 22 in the event of probe 20 displacement or malfunction, a user adjustable time delay relay 72 is connected between line

A of the liquid level control board 65 and the mixer 12a. When the level of liquid drops below the probe 20 in the tank 22 and the preset time delay of the control board 65 has expired, a signal is sent from line A of the liquid level control board 65 for the mixer 12a to start mixing the dry powder and liquid ingredients and dispensing the mixture to the dispenser. This signal triggers a timer of the time delay relay 72. At the end of the preselected time, for example 90 seconds, if the signal is still present from line A. then the time delay relay 72 will interrupt the signal so that the mixer shuts down completely and the automatic fill function will be terminated. In addition, the time delay relay preferably relays a signal to sound a buzzer 75 or other alarm to signal workers to check the machine for a malfunction. Once the problem is detected and serviced, (e.g., replacing a dislodged probe) the time delay relay may be reset by turning the mixer off and on again. Time delay relays of the type discussed above are available from SSAC, Inc., of Baldwinsville, New York as part of their KRD series Digi-Timer. Upon application of input voltage, the delay begins. The output is energized (relay is transferred) during the time delay. At the end of time delay the output is de-energized and remains de-energized until input voltage is removed. Removing input voltage resets the time delay and the output.

The mixer and control cabinet 9 is set behind the dispenser 10a, 10b and 10c and mounts the mixers 12a, 12b and 12c with their whippers 38 above the tank or container for each dispenser 10a. 10b and 10c. The flexible plastic flow tube 44a, 44b and 44c for each of mixers 12a. 12b and 12c extends down from the outlet of the corresponding whipper 38 so that the mixed powder and liquid is drawn by gravity down into the tank or plastic container 22 of the corresponding dispenser. This allows easy retrofit of existing dispensers with the automatic powder mixing and filling of the container for each of the dispensers 10a. 10b and 10c. If space permits, the control cabinet 9 may be mounted on the counter behind the dispenser. The control cabinet may also be provided with adjustable legs to adjust the height of the mixer relative to the dispenser. If desired, the control cabinet and/or mixer may be anchored to the dispenser for safety reasons. If desired, the mixer and dispenser may be combined into a single unit. For example, the mixer controls may be located in the dispenser chassis 65, the chassis may be extended rearward and upward to house the mixer components and/or the whippers 38 may be mounted in the dispenser tanks without the plastic tubes 44. Several other variations will also be readily appreciated for combining the units into one.

Preferably, a washout system will be located on the control cabinet (See FIG. 2). The washout system consists of a valve 82, the turn on turn off handle of which is exposed from the control cabinet 9. and which is attached to the liquid inlet line 24, to the mixing bowl 34. The valve 82 opens into a cleaner line 84. The cleaner line 84 terminates in a hose connector 86, on the left side of the control cabinet 9. A hose 88 may be attached to the hose connector 86 which is long enough to reach the inside of any of the tanks 22a, 22b, and 22c. The hose 88 preferably will have a controllable valve, 90 at the end to enable the user to turn on the water, wash out the tank, and turn off the water, right at the tank. Alternatively, the washout system can be a typical hose/sprayer found in a home kitchen sink.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment for the granita maker, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications to the dimensions of the disclosed embodiment as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. For instance, the device may be used for all different types of drink compositions. Furthermore, modifications may be made to the placement of probes, substitution of other sensing mechanisms know in the art in place of the probes (e.g. the variations of the sensors used for the low powder level sensors such as the proximity switches) the mixing process, the feed from the mixer to the dispenser, and the cooling and mixing apparatus of the dispenser without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An iced or refrigerated beverage machine, comprising: a mixer for mixing powder with liquid to form a liquid mixture; a dispenser for converting the liquid mixture into an iced beverage; and a controller for activating the mixing of the powder with the liquid and controlling the delivery of the liquid mixture to the dispenser; wherein the mixer is located outside the dispenser tank.

2. An iced or refrigerated beverage machine according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises a freezer and mixer for freezing the liquid mixture, a container for the liquid mixture and an inlet to the container for receipt of the liquid mixture, and further comprising a cabinet for housing the mixer and controller adjacent the dispenser with the mixer above the inlet, and a flexible tube for allowing the liquid mixture to flow down from the mixer to the inlet and into the container.

3. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 2 comprising a water inlet on the cabinet, a flexible hose connected to the water inlet and a controllable valve to thereby allow the user to wash out the mixture in a tank on such beverage machine.

4. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 3 wherein the water inlet is also coupled to the mixer for providing liquid to the mixer.

5. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 1 wherein said mixer is activated by the controller as a function of the quantity of liquid mixture in said dispenser.

6. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 1 wherein the delivery of the liquid mixture from the mixer to the dispenser is controlled by the controller as a function of the quantity of liquid mixture in said dispenser.

7. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 1 wherein said controller comprises a sensor for monitoring the liquid mixture in said dispenser.

8. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 6 wherein said dispenser comprises a tank for holding the iced beverage, and wherein said controller comprises a probe extending into the tank to monitor the level of iced beverage in said tank.

9. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 8 wherein said sensor further comprises a return line electrically connected with the beverage stored in the tank, and wherein said controller is responsive to an electrical condition between the probe and the return line due to the level of mixture in the tank for controlling the delivery of liquid mixture to the dispenser.

10. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises: a tank having an end with a generally cylindrical shape; a motor; a cooling element comprising a cylinder telescopically fit into the end of the tank, a first cylindrical screw propeller coaxially disposed in said cylinder, and a second cylindrical screw propeller coaxially wound external to said cylinder, each of the first and second screw propellers being rotatably coupled to the motor; and a dispensing cock connected to the tank.

1 1. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 1 wherein the mixer comprises an outflow tube connected to the dispenser for delivering the liquid mixture to the dispenser.

12. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 10 wherein the mixer comprises a powder holding bin having a discharge spout, an auger for dispensing powder from said powder holding bin, a whipping chamber coupled to the discharge spout for receiving the powder dispensed by the auger, a valve for selectively supplying liquid to the whipping chamber having a whipper propeller, the controller being coupled for enabling the auger, the valve, and the whipper propeller for controlling the dispensing of the powder from the powder holding bin. dispensing the liquid, and the mixing of the powder with the liquid.

13. An iced or refrigerated beverage machine, comprising: a mixer comprising, a powder holding bin having a discharge spout, a first motor having a first control input for selective operation of the first motor, an auger rotatably coupled to the first motor and extending into the powder holding bin, said auger having external threads, an agitator wheel disposed in the powder holding bin, said agitation wheel having a plurality of radially projecting paddles extending from its periphery that mesh with the external threads of the auger, an elbow, a mixing bowl having an first input coupled to the discharge spout of the powder holding bin through the elbow, said mixing bowl further comprising a second input and an output, a liquid supply line connected to the second input of the mixing bowl, said liquid supply line having an in-line valve for selectively supplying liquid to the second input of the mixing bowl from an external source. a whipping chamber comprising, an output, an input connected to the output of the mixing bowl, and a whipper propeller disposed in said whipping chamber, a second motor having a second control input for selective operation of the second motor, said whipper propeller being rotatably coupled to the second motor, an outflow tube that extends from the output of the whipping chamber, and a relay connected to the first and second control inputs for selectively operating the first and second motors, and connected to the valve for selectively supplying the liquid to the second input of the mixing chamber: a dispenser comprising, a tank having an end with an input connected to the outflow tube, and an opposing end having a generally cylindrical shape, a base supporting the tank, a third motor, a cooling element comprising a cylinder telescopically fit into the opposing end of the tank, a first cylindrical screw propeller coaxially disposed in said cylinder, and a second cylindrical screw propeller coaxially wound external to said cylinder, each of the first and second screw propellers being rotatably coupled to the third motor, and a dispensing cock connected to the opposing end of the tank; and a controller comprising, a power source having a power output and a power output return, a probe coupled to the power output and extending through the end of the tank a predetermined distance into the tank. the power output return is in electrical contact with an iced beverage when the iced beverage is stored in the tank, and a current sensor for detecting current flow between the probe and the base sensor, said current sensor controlling the relay to the mixer as a function of such detected current flo .

14. An iced or refrigerated beverage machine for making a beverage from a powder and a liquid, the machine comprising: a powder bin having an outlet: a fluid line having an outlet; a mixing chamber adjacent the powder bin outlet and adjacent the fluid line outlet to receive powder from the powder bin outlet and liquid from the fluid line outlet such that powder and liquid are mixed in the mixing chamber to form a powder/liquid mixture, the mixing chamber having an outlet: a dispenser tank having a cover, the dispenser tank adjacent the outlet of the mixing chamber to receive the powder/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber; a heat exchange element in thermal contact with the powder/liquid mixture in the dispenser tank to chill the powder/liquid mixture; a dispensing valve connected to the dispenser tank to permit dispensing of the chilled powder/liquid mixture to a location outside the dispensing tank; and an outflow tube between the mixing chamber and the dispenser tank and passing through the dispenser tank to deliver the powder/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber to the dispenser tank.

15. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 1 . further comprising a liquid level sensor adjacent the dispenser tank that detects when the powder/liquid mixture in the dispenser tank has dropped to a first predetermined level and a controller connected to the liquid level sensor such that the controller activates the mixing of powder from the powder bin and liquid from the fluid line in response to detection by the liquid level sensor that the powder/liquid mixture in the dispenser tank has dropped to the first predetermined level.

16. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 15, wherein the liquid level sensor also detects when the powder/liquid mixture in the dispenser tank has risen to a second predetermined level and the controller deactivates the mixing of powder from the powder bin and liquid from the fluid line in response to detection by the liquid level sensor that the powder/liquid mixture in the dispenser tank has risen to the second predetermined level.

17. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 14, further comprising a powder level sensor adjacent the powder bin that detects when the powder in the powder bin has dropped to a first predetermined level and generates a signal when the powder in the powder bin has dropped to the first predetermined level.

18. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 17, further comprising an alarm connected to the powder level sensor, wherein the alarm is actuated in response to the powder level sensor signal.

19. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 17, wherein the powder level sensor is a capacitive proximity switch.

20. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 14. further comprising a cabinet that receives the fluid line.

21. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 20. further comprising a flow regulator connected to the fluid line to adjust the flow rate of liquid to the mixing chamber.

22. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 21 , wherein the flow regulator is adjustable from outside the cabinet.

23. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 21. wherein the cabinet supports the powder bin and mixing chamber and includes adjustable legs to permit the height of the cabinet to be adjusted relative to the dispensing tank.

24. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 23, wherein the cabinet is fixed relative to the dispensing tank.

25. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 14. wherein the mixing chamber is located above the dispensing valve.

26. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 14, herein the powder bin. mixing chamber and dispenser tanks are incorporated together as one unit.

27. The iced and refrigerated beverage machine of claim 14 wherein the outflow tube extends at least partially horizontally between the mixing chamber and the dispenser tank and 5 has an outflow end connected to the dispenser tank.

28. The iced and refrigerated beverage machine of claim 14 wherein the outflow tube is made of a flexible material.

0 29. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 28 wherein the outflow tube is made of a plastic material.

30. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 14 wherein the mixing chamber is located outside of the dispenser tank. -

31. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 14. further comprising a whipping chamber having a whipper therein that moves to mix the powder and the liquid, the whipping chamber located adjacent the outlet of the mixing chamber to receive the powder/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber and having an outlet to deliver the powder/liquid mixer to the outflow tube.

32. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 14. further comprising a cabinet for housing the mixing chamber and the powder bin. wherein the cabinet is separate from and free standing of the dispenser tank.

33. The iced or refrigerated beverage machine of claim 14, wherein the outflow tube passes through the cover of the dispenser.